The film is a comedic take on the phenomenon of illegal transcontinental races popular in 1970s America. The plot follows Michael Bannon, a wealthy but deadly bored businessman who launches a cross-country race by uttering the code word "Gumball" to his fellow motorists. They gather in a New York garage and set off with no speed limits and no rules, pursued by an unrelenting but comically ineffective Los Angeles police lieutenant, Roscoe. Along the way, various racing teams encounter a variety of misadventures — a Jaguar that refuses to start, an Italian driver who constantly stops to seduce women, and spectacular car stunts filmed on real streets. The race features iconic cars, including a 1966 Ford Shelby Cobra 427, a 1974 Ferrari Daytona, and a 1974 Porsche 911 Targa. The finish line is set on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, where Roscoe gets the last laugh by confiscating all the cars for illegal parking. The production extensively used Manhattan locations, filming in Midtown, the Financial District, and on the George Washington Bridge.

Filming Locations:

John F. Kennedy International Airport

In the Movie

Scene where characters walk through or near the airport in the early stages of the race, preparing to leave New York and head across the country. The airport setting enhances the sense of large-scale movement and urgency.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, one of the busiest and most iconic airports in the United States. Built in 1948, it serves as a major international gateway and has appeared in numerous films. Its sprawling terminals and surrounding roads provided a dynamic setting for filming.

Michael Bannon's Office

In the Movie

Scene where Michael Bannon works in his office before the start of the cross-country race. Here, Bannon's double life is revealed: a bored executive and a secret race organizer, which becomes the starting point for the entire subsequent adventure.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a classic office building in Lower Manhattan at the corner of Water Street and Old Slip. The area is part of the Financial District and is surrounded by modern skyscrapers and historic architecture. In the 1970s, this area was an intensely commercial zone and served as a convincing backdrop for the character's corporate world.

Gallagher's Steak House

In the Movie

Scene where race participants pass by this legendary steakhouse on West 52nd Street during filming in New York. The restaurant's location near Broadway creates a unique Manhattan atmosphere.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the legendary New York steakhouse, operating near Times Square since 1927. Known for its dry-aged beef displayed in a glass case visible from the street, it is a classic Manhattan institution. Its location on West 52nd Street near Broadway makes it a recognizable midtown landmark.